Breakfast host Dan Walker and his wife have laughed off the furore over his Strictly co-star Adam Peaty’s “almost kiss” with professional partner Katya Jones.
The BBC star says Sarah, his wife of 20 years, is not fazed by couples having to get close on the dance floor and has not imposed a no-touching rule.
And on Saturday night he dedicated his Viennese Waltz to her.
“We have a sensible conversation after every show and we had a laugh at the reaction to all this,” revealed Dan, 44.
He said the Strictly cast were supporting Olympic gold medallist Adam, 26, and pro dancer Katya, 32, who stunned fans by posing almost lip-to-lip at the end of their steamy tango last weekend.
Dan said: “Adam was last on the leaderboard and was really keen to... commit – so he went full Olympic focus.
“I felt he did a brilliant job.”
He said Sarah and their three children have made his dance partner Nadiya Bychkova, 32, feel part of the family.
He rejects notions of a Strictly curse that strains contestants’ real-life relationships.
“Some dances, like the tango, do need passion and more emotional connection – but listen, this is a family programme that I watch with my kids,” he insisted.
“I’ve tried to get my family as involved in this as much as possible. Nadiya has come for dinner a few times... we’ve been out as a family.
“My kids begged me to do this, so I want them to enjoy and be part of it. Same for Sarah, who has been a few times and loved the first show.”
Nadiya said she dedicated this weekend’s waltz choreography to Dan’s wife and set it to Billy Joel’s hit She’s Always A Woman, one of Sarah’s favourite songs. Dan said thinking of Sarah helped him to get into the waltz spirit.
“She came to training this week and I could see on her face how she loved it as we danced,” he explained.
“That’s what I’m using to inspire me.”
